unleashing
national impact
igniting local
transformation
After moving to Little Rock in 2011, Brent and Tracy Cryder envisioned adding their own concept — a craft brewery and dog friendly taphouse — to the local food-and-beverage scene.
"We believe in the opportunity here. Our desire was to fill in and complement what was here," says Tracy. "We wanted a place to 'sit' and 'stay,' to use dog words, a space for when you don't want to have everyone at your house but to still be comfortable."
They also saw an opportunity for Little Rock to become a microbrewery hub like Asheville, N.C., Grand Rapids, Mich., and even Cleveland, Ohio — places where clusters of craft breweries turned into tourism magnets.
The Cryders started the search for a funding partner in 2019, and for the next three years pitched banks and other potential funders on the idea.
With their executive backgrounds, the pair had been in plenty of boardrooms. But the combination of a hospitality-and-alcohol startup run by first-time operators was a hard sell for capital funding.
"When we started the banking process, we heard, 'That will work in North Carolina, not here,'" Brent recalled.
"There was no way a brewery was not going here," Tracy Cryder said flatly. "We knew what this had to be and held true."
With sheer doggedness and support from the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, the Cryders brought their idea to life.
Even with the property in hand, they tried over a dozen potential financing options before striking a multi-million-dollar deal with Arkansas Federal Credit Union.
ASBTDC Business Consultant Brandon Horvath was their guide and sounding board throughout the process — a "critical advisor," Tracy said.
"We've both done a lot of presentations, but not for lending," said Brent. "Brandon was very transparent with us and said, 'This won't be easy.'"
Horvath offered different financing alternatives and showed them the things to highlight — and to leave out — to best tell their story to lenders.
"Brandon's knowledge, dedication, and coaching have been invaluable," said Tracy.
The financing was approved in October 2022. They broke ground in June 2023 and celebrated their grand opening on Oct. 1, 2024.
Over the five-year journey, the Cryders developed a deep appreciation for their local ASBTDC, located at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
"That longitudinal relationship is so important. It wasn't just help with a business plan, but all the things the center does. We don't see it as a one-time deal but an ongoing relationship with ASBTDC," said Tracy.
Housed in a sparkling new 11,000 square-foot facility, Southern Tail serves up an array of craft beers and comfort food.
The inviting space includes indoor and outdoor seating, a lawn for games and a stage for live music outside, and a cozy fireplace and high ceilings inside. Dogs are welcome on the patio and can enjoy their own dog friendly menu.
With a crew of nearly 50 employees and growing, the Cryders are intent on creating an environment that attracts workers and guests. They want to provide a first-rate experience for customers (and their furry friends) and high-quality brews that bring in craft beer enthusiasts from far and near.
Southern Tail purposefully sits within walking distance of other breweries, just off the new downtown Exit 140 on Interstate 30.
Combining their love for craft beer, local food, and animals, Brent and Tracy are proud to be a part of making Little Rock a national craft brewing and spirits destination, anchored in the East Village neighborhood.
FR8relay wants to transform long-haul trucking. Trucks move over 70% of freight in the U.S., and the company is developing innovative software that pools shipments and matches drivers with trailers and cargo in a patented relay system.
FR8relay's technology allows for greater flexibility and responsiveness in freight operations so that goods move swiftly and with reduced environmental impact. This innovative approach ensures trucks and freight keep moving while returning long-haul drivers home each night.
Aayush Thakur and his wife Deme Yuan launched FR8relay in Memphis, Tenn., in 2016. Two years later, the young couple relocated their startup to Northwest Arkansas. Thakur attended college in the U.S. with intentions to return home to India to help run his family's businesses. Instead, he became an entrepreneur himself.
Aayush, the CEO, and Deme, the COO, envision creating a more efficient, profitable, equitable, and sustainable trucking logistics ecosystem. To advance their technology and scale up FR8relay, they needed capital.
"The ASBTDC has been an invaluable partner in FR8relay's SBIR journey since 2020, helping us secure five SBIR awards and three state matching grants. Their dedicated team provided exceptional guidance on proposal strategy and development, ensuring our success across multiple agencies."
With guidance from the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, the company began pursuing federal Small Business Innovation Research seed funding, getting its first win in 2021.
The center's services have helped FR8relay secure five SBIR awards, as well as matching grants from the State of Arkansas. The company has utilized the specialized consulting and training offered by the Arkansas SBTDC network, particularly the statewide innovation specialist and the University of Arkansas regional office. FR8relay has also participated in SBIR training and events provided by ASBTDC, including the 2024 America's Seed Fund Road Tour.
Most recently, FR8relay received a $998,234 SBIR Phase II grant from the National Science Foundation. The Phase II project will pilot FR8relay's machine learning model, designed to improve the efficiency of the company's relay concept and predict travel time disruptions. "This project will bring us one step closer to a more efficient and sustainable freight transportation system for the entire country," Thakur said.
NSF Phase II proposals must include a robust commercialization plan to ensure the technology solution has a clear path to market. ASBTDC's Catherine Corley was instrumental in helping the company craft its plan. "Catherine played a pivotal role again in guiding us through the development of a compelling proposal," said Deme. "She helped us refine and highlight our competitive advantage."
The prestigious Phase II grant further cements FR8relay's role as a key innovator in the trucking industry. With federal funding accelerating the development of its technology, FR8relay is poised to reduce shipping times and operational costs while also addressing key industry challenges such as truck driver retention and environmental sustainability.
The company's team of six has learned to balance work funded by multiple federal agencies. The FR8relay team previously won SBIR Phase I and II awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a Phase I from the Department of Energy.
ASBTDC helped FR8relay "strategize how to ensure that there would be no perceived overlap between each of the three projects we proposed to NSF, USDA, and DOE," said Aayush. "We have set up and will continue to maintain very organized work plans, with clear role delegation and strict timekeeping regimens for each project," he added.
Starting in her home kitchen and growing into a successful bistro, Melissa Shipp's business ownership journey exemplifies passion and perseverance. Shipp had vast experience in the food service industry but was new to all that starting a restaurant entailed.
For 15 years, Melissa did catering and cottage baking while raising three children. Once her children were in school, she launched a food truck, operating a few days a week during lunch hours. Then, in 2021, she became the kitchen manager and head chef at another establishment.
When she came to the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Southern Arkansas University the next year, she was ready to purchase or start her own stand-alone restaurant. Her years of experience "built a fire in me to do this on a bigger scale," she said.
But the transition from food truck to brick-and-mortar restaurant had its challenges. For instance, navigating restaurant regulations was daunting.
"I always hear people say, and I myself even had the thought, 'I just don't know where to start.' I am telling you right now, if you start with ASBTDC, your finish line is closer than you think!"
Shipp's ASBTDC consultant, Janell Reeves, made the process smoother and more manageable. She helped Melissa stay on task, organized the steps needed to reach her goal, and provided continuous encouragement.
Reeves also shared extensive market research, prepared cash flow and income projections, helped Shipp develop a business plan and obtain financing, and offered general business guidance.
"The ASBTDC was extremely helpful in the entire process of opening my business. They thought of things I would have never thought about and helped me in ways I could not have imagined. They made the entire process so much easier," said Melissa.
She found an ideal location at the corner of Main and Washington on the bustling courthouse square and launched Barefoot Bistro in September 2023.
Shipp turned her years of knowledge and experience into a thriving and popular downtown bistro for the whole family. Earning excellent reviews on Google and TripAdvisor in its first year, Barefoot is a full-service restaurant and catering company serving El Dorado and the surrounding rural area.
Shipp used the loan proceeds to renovate the building and purchase equipment, furniture, and fixtures. Now, the restaurant provides a unique atmosphere where families come to enjoy innovative food combinations. Melissa's passion for cooking and creating unique menu options drives her success, along with the loyal Barefoot clientele she cultivated with her food truck and catering business.
She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to reach out to the Arkansas SBTDC and speaks highly of the organization's resources and guidance. "I had great help from friends and family, a wonderful loan officer that walked me through every step of funding, and Janell with ASBTDC," said Shipp.